Poetic Shutterbug

I just wanted to let you all know that I have created a new blog which will be devoted to music. It will have interviews, reviews, videos, songs etc... I decided on a music blog for many reasons but primarily to promote some of my musician friends. The blog will however run the gamut on all music genres. It will consist of well known and not so well known music. I'll be posting anything and everything of a musical nature. I also welcome all of your thoughts and ideas on what you would like to see and hear on this blog. So, if you are a music lover go ahead and follow me. I will try and post regularly, meaning at least three to four times per week. We'll see how that goes :) You'll also see the Entrecard widget on here though I'm not sure if it has yet been approved. The url is http://josmusiccafe.blogspot.com Enjoy!

Sony Holland Quartet: Theo Saunders , piano: Steve Cotter , guitar: John B. Williams , bass: Tony Austin , drums: Special guest appearance by Jerry Holland , guitar. I am so happy I flew to Hollywood to see this concert at the Catalina Jazz Club . It was one of those experiences that I will never forget. Seeing Sony Holland in concert is always something I look forward to and she never disappoints. This concert was nothing less than magical. Her quartet which consisted of the players listed above are in a league all their own. The piano player, Theo Saunders, played those keys to heights of which I have never heard. He was smooth as silk and fire on ice depending on the melody and tempo of the tune. A stellar class act. Steve Cotter on guitar had those strings singing along with drummer Tony Austin who had dancing drums at his feet. These two as a duo would be fantastic. Now I have to admit that I had never heard any bassist of whom I really enjoyed. I've always...

Photo courtesy of www.sonyholland.com Singing "Embraceable You" UPCOMING DATES: Sony will be back in San Francisco for a pair of performances in mid-October. October 15 CAFE DIVINE: SAN FRANCISCO, CA 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (guitar/vocal duo) This is always a fun night at the charming North Beach café. http://www.cafedivinesf.com 415.986.3414 October 17 THE BIG RUMBLE: SAN FRANCISCO, CA Marina Green Loma Prieta Earthquake Memorial Dedication Ceremony Sony Holland Duo Performance starts @ 4:00 p.m. This will be a major event in San Francisco with all sorts of activities. Please check out their web sites for more details: http://www.thebigrumble.org http://www.meqm.org For the LA & road-trip people: October 28 CATALINA’S IN LOS ANGELES Sony with the Theo Saunders Quartet 8:00 p.m. (one set only) http://www.catalinajazzclub.com/ See you there!

Going back to her hometown this past weekend, Sony Holland sings with the Jazz Arts Group Big Band in North Dakota. Below is a video performance of the classic " The Look Of Love. " Enjoy!

It was a warm morning in February 2003. I was working at Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco. The plaza was empty and I was sitting in the store reading a book. All of a sudden I hear this jazzy tune playing on the Fountain Plaza. I did not recognize the tune but I loved the melody. A few seconds later I was stunned by what I can only describe as the voice of an angel. The pure, smooth vocals were so engaging that I had to get out there and see who this was filling the square with such beautiful music. I went out, stood by the door and saw this elegantly dressed beautiful blond e in a long black gown and heels singing her heart out in this quiet bare plaza. I was completely mesmerized by her voice and stood there for her entire set without even moving. When I heard "This City Is Mine" which was written and composed by Jerry Holland I fell in love with the song. I waited until her set was done and went out and bought two CD's . I remember telling her that it...

Out Of This World by: Sony Holland Going green with an eco -packaged design and new vocals produced by Van Ness Musical Productions and HeebaLibra Music this 2009 remix is better than ever. It boasts 13 tunes with 10 classic standards and 3 originals by songwriter Jerry Holland. The cover stays true to the title and look of the CD. It is an eco -packaged design without any plastic or shrink wrap. Anything sans shrink wrap - I love. The inside cover displays the song list, composers and band members. On the inside right flap, which holds the CD, is a photo of Sony during a recording session along with a personal note autographed by her. The back cover displays each track along with another photo of Ms. Holland during one of her performances. The songs on this CD will be familiar yet presented in a fresh unique tone. The new vocals are smooth and sensual yet powerful as is evident in the Etta James hit “At Last.” Sony’s voice matures with each and every performance and CD re...

This song from the poem by William Butler Yeats, composed by First Lady of France Carla Bruni - Sarkozy and sung by vocalist Sony Holland is an absolute favorite of mine. This video was taken at the Sony Holland Rrazz Rroom concert in San Francisco a few weeks ago. Enjoy! Those Dancing Days Are Gone Come, let me sing into your ear; Those dancing days are gone, All the silk and satin gear; Crouch upon a stone Wrapping that foul body up In as foul a rag: I carry the sun in a golden cup The moon in a silver bag. Curse as you may I sing it through; What matter if the knave That the most could pleasure you, The children that he gave, Are somewhere sleeping like a top Under a marble flag? I carry the sun in a golden cup The moon in a silver bag. I thought it out this very day, Noon upon the clock, A man may put pretence away Who leans upon a stick, may sing, and sing until he drop Whether to maid or hag: I carry the sun in a golden cup The moon in a silver bag. Lyrics ...

Photo courtesy of www.sf.eater.com Photo courtesy of Terry Dudlley and www.sonyholland.com - All Rights Reserved The Rrazz Room situated within the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco is fast becoming the premier venue for entertainment. It has been opened for a little over a year and has attracted some of the Bay Area's biggest names and talents. The room itself is located in the lobby area of the hotel with a great little bar and lounge setting adjacent to the concert room. The lounge area is one of those comfortable settings where you can just relax and even doze off on one of those gloriously overstuffed couches. Although I don't drink, I've heard that the bar itself is a "drinker's paradise." The most important aspect of a concert venue for me is the stage. The stage should be the focal point of the room. When I walked into the Rrazz Room I felt as if I were walking into a huge concert hall. The stage literally speaks to you as you arrive. The room itse...

Jazz Climax - For Sony Holland The room hauntingly still with mosaic tiles staring down upon the audience. Pink and red lights glare like the eye of a storm pouncing across the stage. Lights dim and the music begins. Ebony and ivory notes meld with the pounding crescendo of drums. Hot sax man plays it high and low while the bass hovers a musical fog. And the introduction! Thunderous applause echoes while the star rises to the occasion. To the nines, dressed Out Of This World and the spotlight dull in comparison to her beauty. Her voice soft, smooth velvet whispers shower the room in vocal elegance. Lyrical reverberations echo beyond the stage and the room full with sultry innocence the sass and class monogamy. Piano man sets the tone tickling each key to perfection. At Last! As the song goes… Sensual bluesy rhythms fuel the senses with hot anticipation while the audience swoons in wild adulation as rhythmic beats rise and heighten...